CN103765245A - Hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present technology integrate seismic data and geological concepts into an earth model build. More specifically, the exemplary embodiments provide a new method of building an earth model based on seismic data and information in geological concepts for use as a background for interpreting the seismic data and/or adding to the earth model in areas where seismic data is missing (e.g., no data or no data resolvable). In some embodiments, a deterministic framework for the earth model is generated by deterministic identification of discrete geobodies. According to some embodiments, a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model is generated by filling stratigraphic gaps in a deterministic framework with geostatistical information and/or seismic inversion.

Description

Hybrid Deterministic-Geostatistical Earth Model

technical field

The present disclosure relates generally to modeling a geological volume of interest, and more particularly to generating a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model.

Background technique

Perform seismic imaging and subsurface interpretation to obtain as accurate a geological model of the Earth's subsurface volume as possible. Conventional industrial workflows typically include the following sequence of processing steps: (a) processing seismic data into a 3D seismic image volume of the Earth's subsurface volume; (b) extracting the Earth's subsurface volume using tabular and other known petrophysical data and rock properties Attributes (e.g., velocity, Poisson's ratio, density, acoustic impedance, etc.) obtaining structure, stratigraphy, and geological morphology; and (d) constructing a geological and reservoir subsurface model based on the extracted attributes and the obtained structure, stratigraphy, and geological morphology.

Conventional industrial workflows have limited reconciliation/integration of earth models used with structural and stratigraphic interpretation and imaging of reservoir properties from seismic estimates. Each processing step has inherent uncertainty and non-uniqueness that cannot be fully quantitatively defined. Thus, it is difficult to quantify the uncertainty and non-uniqueness of geological reservoir models generated by conventional industrial workflows. Most industrial workflows turn to geostatistical methods to estimate uncertainty and non-uniqueness. Even so, there is no guarantee that the resulting probabilistic model will be consistent with all the data utilized in generating it.

Contents of the invention

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for generating a deterministic framework for an earth model through deterministic identification of discrete geological bodies. The method includes the steps of acquiring a plurality of image volumes associated with an earth model of a geological volume of interest including one or more geological volumes. The earth model is based on seismic data representing energy that has propagated through the geological volume of interest from one or more energy sources to one or more energy receivers. The seismic data includes one or more of at least one migration stack, at least one angular stack, or at least one azimuthal stack. Each image volume of the plurality of image volumes corresponds to a different overlay domain. The method includes the step of performing one or both of signal processing enhancement or spectral decomposition for one or more frequency ranges over the plurality of image volumes associated with the earth model of the geological volume of interest. The method includes the step of: identifying each of the plurality of image volumes by analyzing one or more of the plurality of image volumes using one or both of a seismic stratigraphy analysis technique or a seismic topography analysis technique One or more discrete geological volume representations in the image volume. Each geologic representation of the one or more geologic representations corresponds to the one or more geologic volumes included in the geologic volume of interest. The method comprises the step of assigning a phase distribution to each image volume of said plurality of image volumes. The facies distribution includes spatially descriptive values and/or rock properties assigned to the identified one or more geological volume representations based on one or both of borehole data and/or geophysical modeling. The method includes the steps of generating a deterministic framework of an earth model based on the set of facies distributions. The deterministic framework is a matrix associated with the earth model that extends over some or all of the earth model and includes each of the one or more identified geologic representations and one or more undefined regions. The method includes identifying one or more formation gaps within the deterministic framework of the earth model. The one or more formation gaps do not have an identified geologic body representation.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for generating a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model by filling formation gaps in a deterministic framework with geostatistical information and/or seismic inversion. The method includes obtaining a deterministic framework associated with an earth model of a geological volume of interest including one or more geological volumes. The earth model is based on measured seismic data representing energy that has propagated through the geological volume of interest from one or more energy sources to one or more energy receivers. The measured seismic data includes one or more of at least one migration stack, at least one angular stack, or at least one azimuthal stack. The deterministic framework is a matrix associated with the earth model that extends over some or all of the earth model. The method includes identifying a set of one or more geological volume representations associated with a geological volume of interest. Each of the one or more geovolume representations in the set is stochastically derived and represents each of the one or more geovolumes included in the geological volume of interest. The set of one or more geovolume representations is constructed based on geostatistical methods using either or both of borehole data or interpretation dynamically generated data. The method includes generating an initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model by filling one or more stratigraphic gaps in a deterministic framework of the earth model with each of the set of geologic representations. Each of the one or more stratigraphic gaps is a region in the deterministic framework that has no geologic representation. The method includes generating a synthetic seismic response of an initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model for comparison with measured seismic data. This comparison helps to validate the initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model. The method includes iteratively refining an initial hybrid confirmatory geostatistical earth model to obtain a final set of hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models. The refinement is based on continuous comparisons between the geological seismic responses and the synthetic seismic responses of the refined hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model. The synthetic seismic response of each individual in the set of final hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models approximates the measured seismic data. The method includes selecting a representative hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model from the set of final hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models. The representative hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model has a range of uncertainty based on one or more of at least one reservoir parameter or geological plausibility.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a system configured to generate a deterministic framework for an earth model and to generate a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model. The system includes: one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. Such computer program modules include: an image volume module, a geological volume module, a facies assignment module, a frame module, a hybrid model module, and a synthetic seismic response module. The image volume module is configured to generate or acquire a plurality of image volumes associated with an earth model of a geological volume of interest including one or more geological volumes. The earth model is based on seismic data representing energy that has propagated through the geological volume of interest from one or more energy sources to one or more energy receivers. The seismic data includes one or more of at least one migration stack, at least one angular stack, or at least one azimuthal stack. Each image volume of the plurality of image volumes corresponds to a different overlay domain. The geovolume module is configured to identify one or more of the plurality of image volumes by analyzing one or more of the plurality of image volumes using one or both of seismic stratigraphy analysis techniques or seismic topography analysis techniques to identify One or more discrete geovolume representations in each image volume of . Each geologic representation of the one or more geologic representations corresponds to the one or more geologic volumes included in the geologic volume of interest. The phase assignment module is arranged to assign a phase distribution to each image volume of the plurality of image volumes. The facies distribution includes spatially descriptive values and/or rock properties assigned to the identified one or more geological volume representations based on one or both of borehole data and/or geophysical modeling. The frame module is configured to generate or obtain a deterministic frame of the earth model based on the set of facies distributions. The deterministic framework is a matrix associated with the earth model that extends over part or all of the earth model and includes each of the identified one or more geological body representations and one or more stratigraphic gaps various stratigraphic gaps. Each of the one or more stratigraphic gaps is a region in the deterministic framework that has no representation of a geologic body. The hybrid model module is configured to fill in the one or more stratigraphic gaps in the deterministic framework by utilizing each geovolume representation in the set of one or more geovolume representations associated with the geostatistics of interest to generate or obtain a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model. Each geologic body representation in the set is randomly derived and represents each geologic body of the one or more geologic bodies included in the geologic volume of interest. The set of one or more geovolume representations is constructed based on geostatistical methods using either or both of borehole data or interpretation dynamically generated data. The synthetic seismic response module is configured to generate or obtain a synthetic seismic response of the hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model for comparison with seismic data to validate the hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a computer-readable storage medium having instructions embodied thereon. The instructions are executable by a processor to perform a method for generating a deterministic framework of an earth model through deterministic identification of discrete geologic bodies. The method includes acquiring a plurality of image volumes associated with an earth model of a geological volume of interest including one or more geological volumes. The earth model is based on seismic data representing energy that has propagated through the geological volume of interest from one or more energy sources to one or more energy receivers. The seismic data includes one or more of at least one migration stack, at least one angular stack, or at least one azimuthal stack. Each image volume of the plurality of image volumes corresponds to a different overlay domain. The method includes performing one or both of signal processing enhancement or spectral decomposition for one or more frequency ranges over the plurality of image volumes associated with the earth model of the geological volume of interest. The method includes identifying each of the plurality of image volumes by analyzing one or more of the plurality of image volumes using one or both of a seismic stratigraphy analysis technique or a seismic topography analysis technique One or more discrete geological volume representations in . Each geologic representation of the one or more geologic representations corresponds to the one or more geologic volumes included in the geologic volume of interest. The method includes assigning a phase distribution to each image volume of the plurality of image volumes. The facies distribution includes spatially descriptive values and/or rock properties assigned to the identified one or more geological volume representations based on one or both of borehole data and/or geophysical modeling. The method includes generating a deterministic framework of the earth model based on the set of facies distributions. The deterministic framework is a matrix associated with the earth model that extends over some or all of the earth model and includes each of the one or more identified geologic representations and one or more undefined regions. The method includes identifying one or more formation gaps within the deterministic framework of the earth model. The one or more formation gaps do not have the identified geologic body representation.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a computer-readable storage medium having instructions embodied thereon. The instructions are executable by a processor to perform a method for generating a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model by filling formation gaps in a deterministic framework with geostatistical information and/or seismic inversion. The method includes obtaining a deterministic framework associated with an earth model of a geological volume of interest including one or more geological volumes. The earth model is based on measured seismic data representing energy that has propagated through the geological volume of interest from one or more energy sources to one or more energy receivers. The measured seismic data includes one or more of at least one migration stack, at least one angular stack, or at least one azimuthal stack. The deterministic framework is a matrix associated with the earth model that extends over some or all of the earth model. The method includes identifying a set of one or more geological volume representations associated with a geological volume of interest. Each geologic body representation in the set of geologic body representations is randomly derived and represents a respective geologic body of the one or more geologic volumes included in the geologic volume of interest. The set of one or more geovolume representations is constructed based on geostatistical methods using either or both of borehole data or interpretation dynamically generated data. The method includes generating an initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model by filling one or more stratigraphic gaps in a deterministic framework of the earth model with each of the set of geologic representations. Each of the one or more stratigraphic gaps is a region in the deterministic framework that has no representation of a geologic body. The method includes generating a synthetic seismic response of an initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model for comparison with measured seismic data. This comparison helps validate the initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model. The method includes iteratively refining an initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model to obtain a set of final hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models. The refinement is based on continuous comparisons between the geological seismic responses and the synthetic seismic responses of the refined hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model. The synthetic seismic response of each individual in the set of final hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models approximates the measured seismic data. The method includes selecting a representative hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model from the set of final hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models. The representative hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model has a range of uncertainties based on one or more of at least one reservoir parameter or geological plausibility.

These and other features and characteristics of the present technology, and the method of operation and function of the relevant parts of structure and composition parts and the economics of manufacture will become more apparent when the following description and appended claims are considered with reference to the accompanying drawings , all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as illustrations of the limits of the technology. As used in this specification and claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise .

Description of drawings

Figure 1 illustrates a system configured to generate a deterministic framework for an earth model and to generate a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model, according to one or more embodiments.

Figure 2 illustrates a workflow for generating a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model, according to one or more embodiments.

Figures 3A-3C provide illustrative information associated with the workflow of Figure 2, according to one or more embodiments.

Figures 4A-4D provide illustrative information associated with the workflow of Figure 2, according to one or more embodiments.

Figure 5 illustrates a method for generating a deterministic framework for an earth model through deterministic identification of discrete geological bodies, according to one or more embodiments.

6 illustrates a method for generating a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model by filling formation gaps in a deterministic framework with geostatistical information and/or seismic inversion, according to one or more embodiments.

Detailed ways

The technology can be described and implemented in the general context of a system and computer methods to be performed by a computer. Such computer-executable instructions may include programs, routines, objects, components, data structures, and computer software technologies that may be used to perform particular tasks and process abstract data types. Software implementations of the present technology may be coded in different languages for application in various computing platforms and environments. It should be clear that the scope and underlying principles of the technology are not limited to any particular computer software technology.

Moreover, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present technology may be practiced using any one or combination of hardware and software configurations, including, but not limited to, systems with single-processor and/or multi-processor computer processor systems, hand-held devices, programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, etc. The technology may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by servers or other processing devices that are linked through one or more data communications networks. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.

Moreover, an article of manufacture for use with a computer processor (such as a CD, pre-recorded disc, or other equivalent device) may include a computer program storage medium and recorded thereon instructions for instructing the computer processor to facilitate implementation and A program device for practicing the technology. Such devices and articles of manufacture also fall within the spirit and scope of the present technology.

Embodiments of the present technology will be described below with reference to the drawings. The technology can be implemented in many ways, including, for example, systems (including computer processing systems), methods (including computer-implemented methods), apparatus, computer-readable storage media, computer program products, graphical user interfaces, portals, or tangibly fixed data structures in computer readable memory. In the following, several embodiments of the present technology are discussed. The drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the technology, and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope and breadth.

Figure 1 illustrates a system 100 configured to generate a deterministic framework for an earth model and to generate a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model, according to one or more embodiments. Embodiments of the present technology integrate seismic data and geological concepts into earth model building. More specifically, the exemplary embodiments provide a new method of constructing an earth model based on information in seismic data and geological concepts to serve as a context for interpreting seismic data and/or where seismic data is missing (eg, no data or no data analyzability) are added to the earth model. As depicted in FIG. 1 , system 100 may include electronic storage 102 , user interface 104 , one or more information resources 106 , at least one processor 108 , and/or other components.

In some embodiments, electronic storage 102 includes electronic storage media that electronically stores information. Electronic storage media of electronic storage 102 may include system storage provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with system 100, and/or, for example, via ports (e.g., USB ports, firmware ports, etc.) or drives (e.g., disk drive, etc.) is removably connected to the removable storage of the system 100. Electronic storage 102 may include one or more optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drives, floppy disk drives, etc.), charge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM , RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (eg, flash drives, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media. Electronic storage 102 may store software algorithms, information determined by processor 108, information received via user interface 104, information received from information resources 106, and/or other information that enables system 100 to function as described herein. information. Electronic storage 102 may be a separate component within system 100, or electronic storage 102 may be provided integrally with one or more other components of system 100 (eg, processor 108).

The user interface 104 is configured as an interface between the system 100 and the user through which the user can provide information to the system 100 and receive information from the system 100 . This enables data, results, and/or instructions and any other transferable items, collectively referred to as "information," to be transferred between the user and the system 100 . As used herein, the term "user" may refer to a single individual or a group of individuals that may work collaboratively. Examples of interface devices suitable for inclusion in user interface 104 include one or more of the following: keypads, buttons, switches, keypads, knobs, levers, display screens, touch screens, speakers, microphones, indicator lights, Audible alarm, and/or printer. In one embodiment, user interface 104 actually includes multiple separate interfaces.

It should be appreciated that other communication technologies (hardwired or wireless) are also contemplated by the present technology as user interface 104 . For example, the technology contemplates that user interface 104 may be integrated with a removable storage interface provided by electronic storage 102 . In this example, information can be loaded into system 100 from removable storage (eg, smart card, flash drive, removable disk, etc.), enabling a user to customize the implementation of system 100 . Other exemplary input devices and technologies suitable for use with system 100 as user interface 104 include, but are not limited to, RS-232 ports, RF links, IR links, modems (telephone, cable, or other). Simply stated, any technique for communicating information with system 100 is contemplated by the present technology as user interface 104 .

Information resources 106 include one or more sources of information related to the geological volume of interest. By way of non-limiting example, one of information resources 106 may include seismic data acquired at or near the geological volume of interest, information derived therefrom, and/or information related to the acquisition. Such seismic data may include source wavefields and receiver wavefields. The seismic data may include individual traces of seismic data (e.g., data recorded on one channel of seismic energy propagating from the source through the geological volume of interest), migration stacks, angular stacks, azimuthal stacks, and/or other data. Information derived from seismic data may include, for example, based on geological models of seismic data representing energy that has propagated through the geological volume of interest from one or more energy sources to one or more energy receivers, based on representations of energy present in the geological volume of interest Image volumes, and/or other information of geological models of geological bodies in the geological volume. Individual ones of these image volumes may correspond to individual ones of offset stacks, angular stacks, or azimuthal stacks. Information related to acquiring seismic data includes, for example, data related to the location and/or orientation of a source of seismic energy, the location and/or orientation of one or more detectors of seismic energy, energy generated by the source and directed to The time, and/or other information of the geological volume of interest.

The information resource 106 may include other information in addition to seismic-related data associated with the geological volume of interest. Examples of such information may include information related to gravity, magnetic fields, resistivity magnetotelluric information, radar data, well logs, rock properties, geological modeling data, and/or other information.

Processor 108 is configured to provide information processing capabilities in system 100 . Likewise, processor 108 may include digital processors, analog processors, digital circuits designed to process information, analog circuits designed to process information, state machines, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. one or more of . Although processor 108 is shown in FIG. 1 as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, processor 108 may include multiple processing units. These processing units may be physically located within the same device or computing platform, or processor 108 may represent the processing functionality of multiple devices operating in cooperation.

As shown in FIG. 1, processor 108 may be configured to execute one or more computer program modules. The one or more computer program modules may include a communication module 110, an image volume module 112, a geovolume module 114, a facies assignment module 116, a framework module 118, a hybrid model module 120, a synthetic seismic response module 122, and/or other modules one or more of the . The processor 108 may be configured to execute the modules 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 and/or 122.

It should be appreciated that although modules 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and 122 are illustrated in FIG. , 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and/or 122 may be located remotely relative to the other modules. The description of the functionality provided by the various modules 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and/or 122 described below is for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting, as the modules 110, 112, 114, 116 , 118, 120, and/or 122 may provide more or less functionality than described. For example, one or more of modules 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and/or 122 may be eliminated and some or all of their functionality may be replaced by modules 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and and/or provided by other modules in 122. As another example, the processor 108 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions that may perform some or all of the functions Additional modules. As yet another example, the processor 108 may be configured to execute one or more modules of the executable file of the document filed on January 31, 2011 and titled "Extracting Geologic Information from Multiple Offset Stacks and/or or Angle Stacks" in co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 13/017995 ("the '995 application"); and/or filed on January 31, 2011 and titled "Exploitation of Self-Consistency and Differences Between Volume Images and Some or all of the functionality of one or more modules described in co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 13/018094 for "Interpreted Spatial/Volumetric Context" (the "'094 Application"), which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Communications module 110 may be configured to receive information. Such information may be received from information resource 106, a user via user interface 104, electronic storage 102, and/or other information sources. Examples of received information may include seismic data and information derived therefrom, information related to the acquisition of seismic data, migration overlays, angular overlays, azimuthal overlays, geological models, image volumes, and/or other information. Information received via communications module 110 may be utilized by one or more of modules 112 , 114 , 116 , 118 , 120 , and/or 122 . Examples of such exploits are described below. Communication module 110 may be configured to transmit information to one or more other components of system 100 .

The image volume module 112 may be configured to generate or otherwise acquire one or more image volumes associated with an earth model of the geological volume of interest. Below, image volumes and earth models are further described. A geological volume of interest is a subterranean region, which may include one or more geological bodies. Examples of geological bodies may include one or more of the following: stratigraphic horizons, reservoir surfaces, geological surfaces, fluvial channels, deltas, delta fans, submarine fans, reefs, sandbars, point bars, faults (fault), unconformity, dike, sill, salt body, crevasse splay, reservoir flow unit, fluid contact, turbidite channel, turbidite bed , and/or other underground bodies.

A geological volume of interest may include one or more "overburdens." Overburden may generally be described as the geological portion above a mineral deposit, refractor, and/or reflector. Examples of overburden may include material overlying and depressed over ore or valuable deposits, loose unconsolidated material over bedrock, and/or other overburden. Overlays may be associated with velocity models and/or other models that may be used for re-imaging.

A geological volume of interest may include one or more targets, such as reservoir targets, for example. According to one or more embodiments, detailed analysis may be performed on such targets to determine information about geological volumes and/or rock properties (described further below). Depending on the specific information derived, the geological volume of interest may include the entire geological portion above the region of interest from the surface to the target interval, or the geological volume of interest may be restricted to a specific target interval.

The earth model may be based on seismic data representing energy that has propagated through the geological volume of interest from one or more energy sources to one or more energy receivers. The seismic data may include one or more of at least one migration stack, at least one angular stack, or at least one azimuthal stack. Each image volume may correspond to a different overlay domain.

According to some embodiments, the earth model may be single-dimensional or multi-dimensional. Examples of such models may include velocity models and/or other models associated with the geological volume of interest. The earth model may include a numerical representation of at least one property (eg, seismic velocity, density, attenuation, anisotropy, and/or other properties) as a function of position within the geological volume of interest. A velocity model can include a spatial distribution of velocities that can be used to trace ray paths that obey Snell's law. A velocity model may refer to a model used in migration such as depth migration, for example. A velocity model may be referred to as a velocity cube.

In general, an image volume is a two-dimensional or three-dimensional visual representation of one or more aspects of a geological model. Individual image volumes may correspond to individual offset overlays; angular overlays; azimuth overlays; transformations of the offset overlays, angular overlays, and/or azimuth overlays (eg, spectral decomposition and/or other transformations); and/or other information. The image volume may represent geological bodies present in the geological volume of interest.

An image volume may be a description of a spatial and/or temporal distribution within a geological volume of interest having one or more attributes. Properties may include, for example, one or more of: velocity, correlation, Hilbert transform, magnitude, instantaneous frequency, spectral analysis, anisotropy, attenuation, impedance, density, Poisson's ratio, acoustic properties, elastic properties , petrophysical properties, rock properties, fluid properties, reservoir properties, seismic response, geological description, lithology classification, dip, magnitude, curvature, roughness, dip azimuth, spectral shape, and and/or other information attributed to geological volumes and/or geological bodies. According to some embodiments, generating and/or acquiring an image volume may include one or more of utilizing borehole derived information, seismic data used to acquire a geological model, and/or other information.

Image volumes may be generated and/or acquired based on spatially aligned geologically consistent volumes associated with the geological volume of interest. The image volume may be formed from a plurality of offset stacks, azimuthal stacks, and/or angular stacks representing energy that has propagated through the geological volume of interest from one or more energy sources to one or more energy receivers. Multiple image volumes associated with respective source-receiver offsets and/or source-receiver angles may be determined based on corresponding offset overlays, azimuthal overlays, and/or angular overlays.

The image volume module 112 may be configured to acquire one or more slices throughout the image volume. Slices throughout the image volume may be arranged as a logical sequence of slices. These slices may include: common time slices, common depth slices, common oblique slices, common vertical slices, common horizontal slices, and/or other slices. Before acquiring these slices, according to some embodiments, the image volume module 112 may flatten the image according to time, depth, tilt, vertical, horizontal, dip, dip azimuth, interpretation horizon, and/or other metrics volume.

Image volume module 112 may be configured to generate one or more optical overlay volumes. Each optical overlay volume may comprise two or more slices. Likewise, a given optical overlay volume may correspond to a thickness range of the attribute volume from which slices are taken. According to some embodiments, the slices may be viewed by the user from one or more directions, and may be overlaid based on the user's visual inspection to generate an optical overlay volume. In some embodiments, slices can be automatically overlaid to generate an optical overlay volume. The opacity and/or transparency of one or more slices included in a given optical overlay volume may be adjusted. In some embodiments, opacity and/or transparency criteria associated with individual slices and/or groups of slices may be based on user input or determined automatically. Modifying the opacity of individual slices included in a given optical overlay volume may accentuate one or more geological features included in the corresponding thickness range of the attribute volume from which the slice was taken. For example, opacity and/or transparency may be adjusted such that the geovolume breaches an opacity threshold.

The image volume module 112 may be arranged to segment the image volume. Segmentation reduces computational cost. Such segmentation may be performed based on geological features represented in the image volume and/or other subdivisions of the image volume. That is, a given segment may correspond to one or more geological features, or a given segment may correspond to some other subdivision of the image volume. A section of an image volume can be processed similarly to the processing of image volumes described herein. For example, the image volume module 112 may be configured to acquire one or more slices through a section of the image volume.

In some embodiments, the image volume module 112 is configured to perform signal processing enhancements for one or more frequency ranges on each of the plurality of image volumes associated with the earth model of the geological volume of interest. Or one or both of spectral decompositions. The image volume module 112 may be configured to filter each of the plurality of image volumes, slice through each of the plurality of image volumes, or combine each image of the plurality of image volumes One or more of the volumes are optically superimposed in association with the volume to remove noise-related patterns.

The geovolume module 114 may be configured to identify one or more discrete geovolume representations in one or more image volumes. This may be done by analyzing the one or more image volumes using one or more of seismic stratigraphic analysis techniques, seismic terrain analysis techniques, and/or other techniques. Each geologic representation of the one or more geologic representations corresponds to the one or more geologic volumes included in the geologic volume of interest. Each of these geobody representations may be randomly derived. The one or more geovolume representations may form a set of geovolume representations constructed using one or more geostatistical methods of borehole data, interpretation dynamically generated data, and/or other information.

According to some embodiments, the geovolume module 114 may be configured to identify the one or more discrete geovolume representations by identifying one or more stratigraphic patterns in a given image volume based on animation. Such an animation may consist of a sequence of frames derived from a given image volume. Each frame may comprise a single slice through a given image volume or an optical overlay volume associated with the given image volume. In some embodiments, identifying the one or more stratigraphic patterns in a given image volume may include interpreting based on an analysis of slices through the given image volume or an optical overlay volume associated with the given image volume The given image volume. Identifying one or more formation patterns from the animation may include identifying changes between successive frames of the animation. Such changes between successive frames of the animation may include geological bodies having different rates of movement between the successive frames.

The phase assignment module 116 may be arranged to assign a phase distribution to each image volume of the plurality of image volumes. The facies distribution includes spatially descriptive values and/or assigned to the identified one or more geological volume representations based on one or more of borehole data, geophysical modeling, and/or other information associated with the facies distribution rock properties. The spatial descriptive values include one or more of vertical thickness values, lateral scale values, and/or other spatial descriptive values. In some embodiments, the spatially descriptive value may be determined via reservoir property estimation from seismic analysis. Examples of rock properties include one or more of: velocity, porosity, permeability, homogeneity, anisotropy, density, acoustic properties, elastic properties, petrophysical properties, fluid properties, reservoir properties, geological Description, lithology classification, and/or other characteristics associated with the geological body.

According to some embodiments, the facies assignment module 116 may be configured to assign an interpretation confidence level to each of the identified one or more geological body representations. An interpretation confidence level for a given geologic representation may indicate a degree of confidence in spatial description values and/or rock properties associated with the given geologic representation. Finger-configuring confidence levels may be performed automatically and/or based on user input received via user interface 104 and/or other components of system 100 .

The frame module 118 may be configured to generate and/or otherwise obtain a deterministic frame associated with the earth model of the geological volume of interest. In some embodiments, the framework module 118 may be configured to generate and/or otherwise obtain the deterministic framework based on the set of phase distributions. The deterministic framework is a matrix associated with the earth model that extends over some or all of the earth model. The deterministic framework includes representations of one or more geologic volumes included in the earth model. The deterministic framework may include one or more undefined and/or to-be-defined regions. Such regions can be viewed as stratigraphic gaps in the deterministic framework without an identified geologic representation. The framework module 118 may be configured to identify one or more formation gaps within the deterministic framework of the earth model.

The hybrid model module 120 may be configured to generate an initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model. This may be performed by filling one or more stratigraphic gaps in the deterministic framework of the earth model with one or more geovolume representations identified in conjunction with geovolume module 114 . According to some embodiments, filling at least one formation gap of the one or more formation gaps in the deterministic framework is based on a multipoint statistical (MPS) workflow. One or more exemplary MPS workflows are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 10/923,316, filed August 20, 2004, and entitled "Method for Making a Reservoir Facies Model Utilizing a Training Image and a Geologically Interpreted Facies Probability Cube" described, which is incorporated herein by reference. Generating the initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model may include assigning spatial description values, rock properties, and/or to each of the plurality of geological body representations included in the hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model or one or more of other information. This may be based on one or more of borehole data, geophysical modeling, and/or other information associated with the geological volume of interest.

The hybrid model module 120 may be configured to perform inversion to generate initial and/or other hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models. Performing inversion may include deriving from data (eg, seismic data, field data, and/or other data) a model describing the subsurface of the geological volume of interest consistent with the data. Inversion can include resolving the spatial distribution of parameters that can generate a set of observed measurements. Examples of such parameters may include registration data, number of seismic events, and/or other parameters.

The synthetic seismic response module 122 may be configured to generate and/or otherwise obtain a synthetic seismic response. The synthetic seismic response may correspond to a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model and/or other models. Synthetic seismic responses may include computer-generated seismic reflection records generated by assuming a particular waveform traveling through a hypothetical model. The synthetic seismic response can be independent of the dimensionality of the corresponding model. Synthesizing the seismic response may include propagation through a single-dimensional or multi-dimensional elastic model with attenuation and velocity anisotropy. In an exemplary embodiment, synthetic seismic responses of initial and/or other hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models are generated for comparison with measured seismic data. This comparison helps validate initial and/or other hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models.

Returning to the hybrid model module 120, this module may be configured to iteratively refine the initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model to obtain a set of final hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models. The refinement may be based on continuous comparisons between the geological seismic response and the synthetic seismic response of the refined hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model. The synthetic seismic response of each individual in the set of final hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models approximates the measured seismic data. In some embodiments, iterative reworking between one or more of modules 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and/or 122 may be performed.

In some embodiments, hybrid model module 120 may be configured to select a representative hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model from the set of final hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models. According to some embodiments, the representative hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model may have an uncertainty range based on one or more of at least one reservoir parameter, geological plausibility, and/or other information.

FIG. 2 illustrates a workflow 200 for generating a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model, according to one or more embodiments. As depicted in FIG. 2 , workflow 200 includes process steps 202 , 206 , 208 , 210 , and/or 212 . One or more of the processing steps 202, 206, 208, 210 and/or 212 may be omitted and/or combined with another processing step. Additional processing steps may be included in workflow 200 . The order of processing steps 202, 206, 208, 210, and/or 212 shown in FIG. 2 is not intended to be limiting, as processing steps 202, 206, 208, 210, and/or 212 may be performed in other orders. One or more processing steps 202 , 206 , 208 , 210 , and/or 212 of workflow 200 may be performed by one or more components of system 100 . Illustrative information associated with workflow 200 is provided in FIGS. 3A-3C and 4A-4D . More specifically, Figures 3A-3C illustrate extraction of geological volumes from seismic volumes, while Figures 4A-4D illustrate extraction of geovolumes via a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model overlaid through a seismic volume, according to one or more embodiments. Cross-sections to frame hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models. Additionally, one or more processing steps may include methods described in either or both of the '995 application and/or the '094 application, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

At process step 202, the seismic data is analyzed to identify one or more discrete geological volumes. Such analysis may include one or more seismic stratigraphic analysis techniques, one or more seismic terrain analysis techniques, and/or other analysis techniques. Figure 3A illustrates an exemplary visualization of a seismic dataset. The seismic data is analyzed to identify one or more discrete geological bodies. The identified geologic bodies are represented in the framework as geologic body representations. FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary visualization of a representation of identified geological bodies superimposed on the seismic data set of FIG. 3A . FIG. 4A illustrates another exemplary visualization of a representation of identified geologic volumes superimposed on a seismic data set. According to some embodiments, processing step 202 includes checking limit offset/angular overlay. Signal enhancement procedures can be performed when needed. When discrete geologic bodies are identified from seismic data, different geologic bodies can be imaged within different offset stack domains using animation and/or visualization tools.

At process step 204, attributes, reservoir properties and/or geometry, geobody properties and/or geometry, and/or other information may be assigned to individual identified geovolumes and/or groups of identified geovolumes. In some embodiments, amplitude migration analysis and/or inversion using seismic and/or log information will be used to determine the spatial scale (eg, thickness) and/or reservoir properties of each geologic volume. A relative confidence measure, which may be quantitative and/or qualitative, may be assigned to each of the identified geobodies. 3C illustrates an exemplary visualization of attributes, reservoir properties, and/or other information assigned to the identified geologic bodies of FIG. 3B. FIG. 4B also illustrates an exemplary visualization of attributes, reservoir properties, and/or other information assigned to the identified geologic bodies of FIG. 4A.

At process step 206, the reservoir model space is populated with identified geologic bodies to form a deterministic framework. This geovolume is a deterministic component of a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model. A deterministic framework is a matrix associated with an earth model that extends over part or all of the earth model and includes each of the identified one or more geovolume representations and one or more undefined regions . Undefined and/or misdefined portions are discussed further in connection with processing step 208 . Figure 4C illustrates an exemplary visualization of identified and aggregated geovolumes populated with a deterministic frame, where gray areas indicate areas of the deterministic frame without well-defined geobodies.

At process step 208, one or more undefined and/or misdefined portions of the deterministic framework are populated using probabilistic geostatistical modeling to obtain a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model. 4D illustrates an exemplary illustration of the deterministic framework of FIG. 4C with some or all undefined and/or misdefined portions populated using probabilistic geostatistical modeling. In some embodiments, well log information is integrated into the deterministic framework by additional identification of small-scale geological bodies. Some embodiments include infill stratigraphic details within geovolumes and/or deterministic frameworks. Processing step 208 may include phase simulation (eg, MPS, MPS correlation techniques, and/or other simulation techniques) to populate spatial context into undefined and/or misdefined portions of the deterministic framework. This can resolve any remaining ambiguities associated with reservoir properties, and/or address limitations of seismic data when used to resolve or detect sedimentary geologic bodies that may be evident in well data.

At process step 210, synthetic seismic responses of the hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model are generated for comparison with corresponding measured seismic volumes. If the comparison between the associated seismically derived properties does not match the observed seismic response to an acceptable level, one or more actions may be taken to mitigate the inconsistency. For example, observed earthquakes are reprocessed when there is systematic variation (eg, in the presence of poor seismic quality). As another example, if some or all of the hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model shows poor comparisons to observed earthquakes, the deterministic framework is reinterpreted through iterations of step 202 . As yet another example, the geostatistical constraints are re-solved through iterations of step 208 when the geostatistical fill details appear invalid. In general, one or more of process steps 202, 204, 206, and/or 208 may be revisited when there is a significant discrepancy between the synthesized response and the measured seismic volume. The hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model is validated and/or updated using criteria of agreement between properties of the hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model and seismic data. According to some embodiments, several different hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models may be obtained according to the workflow 200 .

At process step 212, the one or more hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models are classified to determine acceptable or preferred hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models. The classification can be based on one or more reservoir metrics. Such metrics may include: static reservoir properties (e.g., local oil reserves, local gas reserves, and/or other properties), dynamic reservoir properties (e.g., production rates, estimated ultimate recovery, and other properties), and/or or other metrics. These and other metrics can be obtained via reservoir simulations and can then be correlated to the characteristics of the hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for generating a deterministic framework for an earth model through deterministic identification of discrete geological bodies, according to one or more embodiments. The operations of method 500 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method 500 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. For example, method 500 may include one or more of the operations described in the '995 application and/or the '094 application, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 500 are illustrated in FIG. 5 and described below is not intended to be limiting.

In some embodiments, method 500 may be performed on one or more processing devices (e.g., digital processors, analog processors, digital circuits designed to process information, analog circuits designed to process information, state machines, and/or or other mechanisms for processing information electronically). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices that perform some or all of the operations of method 500 in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing means may comprise one or more means configured by hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed to perform one or more operations of method 500 .

At an operation 502, a plurality of image volumes associated with an earth model of a geological volume of interest including one or more geological volumes is acquired. In some embodiments, operation 502 may be performed by image volume module 112 .

At operation 504, one or both of signal processing enhancement or spectral decomposition is performed for one or more frequency ranges over the plurality of image volumes associated with the earth model of the geological volume of interest. In some embodiments, operation 504 may be performed by the image volume module 112 .

At operation 506, each image volume of the plurality of image volumes is identified by analyzing one or more of the plurality of image volumes using one or both of a seismic stratigraphy analysis technique or a seismic topography analysis technique One or more discrete geological volume representations in . In some embodiments, operation 506 may be performed by geovolume module 114 .

At an operation 508, a phase distribution is assigned to each image volume of the plurality of image volumes. In some embodiments, operation 508 may be performed by phase assignment module 116 .

At operation 510, a deterministic framework of the earth model is generated based on the set of facies distributions. In some embodiments, operation 510 may be performed by framework module 118 .

At operation 512, one or more formation gaps in the deterministic framework of the earth model are identified. In some embodiments, operation 512 may be performed by framework module 118 .

6 illustrates a method for generating a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model by filling formation gaps in a deterministic framework with geostatistical information and/or seismic inversion, according to one or more embodiments. The operations of method 600 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method 600 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. For example, method 600 may include one or more of the operations described in the '995 application and/or the '094 application, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 600 are illustrated in FIG. 6 and described below is not intended to be limiting.

In some embodiments, method 600 may be performed on one or more processing devices (e.g., digital processors, analog processors, digital circuits designed to process information, analog circuits designed to process information, state machines, and/or or other mechanisms for processing information electronically). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices that perform some or all of the operations of method 600 in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing means may comprise one or more means configured by hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed to perform one or more operations of method 600 .

At an operation 602, a deterministic framework associated with an earth model of a geological volume of interest including one or more geological volumes is obtained. In some embodiments, operation 602 may be performed by framework module 118 .

At an operation 604, a set of one or more geovolume representations associated with the geological volume of interest is identified. In some embodiments, operation 604 is performed by geovolume module 114 .

At operation 606 , an initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model is generated by filling one or more stratigraphic gaps in the deterministic framework of the earth model with each of the set of geovolume representations. In some embodiments, operation 606 is performed by the mixture model module 120 .

At operation 608, a synthetic seismic response of the initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model is generated for comparison with the measured seismic data. In some embodiments, operation 608 is performed by the synthesized seismic response module 122 .

At operation 610, the initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model is iteratively refined to obtain a set of final hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models. In some embodiments, operation 610 is performed by the mixture model module 120 .

At operation 612, a representative hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model is selected from the set of final hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models. In some embodiments, operation 612 is performed by the mixture model module 120 .

While the technology has been described in detail for purposes of illustration based on what is presently considered to be the most useful and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such detail is used for that purpose only and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed and, on the contrary, it is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be appreciated that the present technology contemplates that, where possible, one or more features of any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.

Claims (15)

1. A computer-implemented method for generating a deterministic framework for an earth model through deterministic identification of discrete geological bodies, the method comprising: acquiring a plurality of image volumes associated with an earth model of a geological volume of interest including one or more geological volumes based on representations that have propagated through from one or more energy sources to one or more energy receivers Seismic data of energy for a geological volume of interest, the seismic data comprising one or more of at least one migration stack, at least one angular stack, or at least one azimuthal stack, each of the plurality of image volumes Corresponding to different superposition domains; performing one or both of signal processing enhancement or spectral decomposition for one or more frequency ranges over the plurality of image volumes associated with the earth model of the geological volume of interest; Identifying one or more of each of the plurality of image volumes by analyzing one or more of the plurality of image volumes using one or both of a seismic stratigraphy analysis technique or a seismic topography analysis technique a plurality of discrete geovolume representations, each of the one or more geovolume representations corresponding to the one or more geovolumes included in the geological volume of interest; assigning a facies distribution to each of the plurality of image volumes, the facies distribution including assignments to one or more identified geology based on one or both of borehole data and/or geophysical modeling Spatial description values and/or rock properties for volumetric representations; generating a deterministic framework of the earth model based on the set of facies distributions, the deterministic framework being a matrix associated with the earth model extending over part or all of the earth model and including the identified one or more geological bodies each geological body representation and one or more undefined areas in the representation; and One or more stratigraphic gaps are identified within the deterministic framework of the earth model, the one or more stratigraphic gaps having no representation of the identified geologic volume. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the one or more discrete geological volume representations comprises identifying one of the given image volumes from an animation comprising a sequence of frames derived from the given image volume or multiple formation patterns, a single frame comprising a single slice through a given image volume, or an optical overlay volume associated with a given image volume. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein identifying the one or more formation patterns in a given image volume comprises: based on slices through the given image volume or optical overlays associated with the given image volume Volumetric analysis to interpret the given image volume. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein identifying the one or more formation patterns from an animation comprises identifying changes between successive frames of the animation. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein changes between successive frames of the animation include geological bodies having different rates of movement between successive frames. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein an optical overlay volume comprises two or more slices throughout a given image volume. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the opacity of the two or more slices of the optical overlay volume is adjusted such that a geological volume breaches an opacity threshold. 8. The method of claim 2, further comprising removing noise-related patterns by filtering one or more of: each of the plurality of image volumes, each image across the plurality of image volumes A slice of the volume, or an optical overlay volume associated with each image volume of the plurality of image volumes. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: assigning an interpretation confidence level to each of the identified one or more geological body representations, wherein the interpretation confidence level indication for a given geological body representation is consistent with Confidence in spatial description values and/or rock properties associated with a given geovolume representation. 10. A computer-implemented method for generating a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model by filling in stratigraphic gaps in a deterministic framework using geostatistical information and/or seismic inversion, the method comprising: Obtaining a deterministic framework associated with an earth model of a geological volume of interest including one or more geological bodies based on representations that have propagated through the geological volume of interest from one or more energy sources to one or more measured seismic data of the energy of the energy receiver, the measured seismic data comprising one or more of at least one migration stack, at least one angular stack, or at least one azimuthal stack, the deterministic framework being associated with the earth model, a matrix extending over part or all of the earth model; identifying a set of one or more geovolume representations associated with the geological volume of interest, each geovolume representation in the set being randomly derived and representing the geological volume representations included in the geological volume of interest each of one or more geological volumes, the set of one or more geological volume representations constructed based on geostatistical methods using either or both of borehole data or interpreted dynamically generated data; An initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model is generated by filling one or more stratigraphic gaps in a deterministic framework of the earth model with each of the set of geovolume representations in the one or more stratigraphic gaps Each stratigraphic gap of is the area without geological body representation in the deterministic framework; generating synthetic seismic responses of the initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model for comparison with measured seismic data, the comparison helping to validate the initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model; iteratively refines the initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model to obtain a final set of hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models based on the geological-seismic response and the refined hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model A continuous comparison between the synthetic seismic responses of each of the earth models in the set of final hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models approximates the measured seismic data; and A representative hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model is selected from the set of final hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth models, the representative hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model has A certain range of uncertainty of one or more of the truths. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising identifying stratigraphic gaps in the deterministic framework by identifying regions in the deterministic framework that do not have a geologic body representation. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein filling at least one of the one or more stratigraphic gaps in a deterministic framework is based on a multipoint statistical workflow. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising assigning an interpretation confidence level to each geologic representation in the identified group of one or more geologic representations, wherein the interpretation confidence level for a given geologic representation Indicates the confidence level of the spatial description values and/or rock properties associated with this given geovolume representation. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein generating an initial hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model comprises, based on one or both of borehole data or geophysical modeling, adding to the hybrid deterministic-geostatistical model included in the hybrid deterministic- Each of the geovolume representations in the geostatistical earth model is assigned one or both of a spatially descriptive value or a rock property. 15. A system configured to generate a deterministic framework for an earth model and generate a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model, the system comprising: One or more processors configured to execute computer program modules comprising: an image volume module configured to generate or acquire a plurality of image volumes associated with an earth model of a geological volume of interest including one or more geological volumes based on representations that have been transferred from one or more energy sources to one or more energy receivers propagating seismic data of energy through the geological volume of interest, the seismic data comprising one or more of at least one migration stack, at least one angular stack, or at least one azimuthal stack, the Each image volume of the plurality of image volumes corresponds to a different overlay domain; a geovolume module configured to identify one or more of the plurality of image volumes by utilizing one or both of a seismic stratigraphy analysis technique or a seismic topography analysis technique to identify one or more discrete geovolume representations in each image volume, each of the one or more geovolume representations corresponding to the one or more geovolumes included in the geovolume of interest; a facies assignment module configured to assign a facies distribution to each of the plurality of image volumes, the facies distribution including assignments to all image volumes based on one or both of borehole data and/or geophysical modeling spatially descriptive values and/or rock properties represented by one or more geological volumes identified; a framework module configured to generate or obtain a deterministic framework of the earth model based on the set of facies distributions, the deterministic framework being a matrix associated with the earth model extending over part or all of the earth model and including the identified Each geological body representation in one or more geological body representations and each stratigraphic gap in one or more stratigraphic gaps, each of which is a deterministic framework with no geobodies area of expression; a hybrid model module configured to populate each of the one or more stratigraphic gaps in the deterministic framework by utilizing each of the geologic volume representations in the set of one or more geologic volume representations associated with the geologic volume of interest Gap to generate or obtain a hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model, each of the set of geologic representations is randomly derived and represents one or more geologic volumes included in the geologic volume of interest For each geologic volume in , the set of one or more geologic volume representations is constructed based on geostatistical methods using either or both of borehole data or interpreted dynamically generated data; and A synthetic seismic response module configured to generate or obtain a synthetic seismic response of the hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model for comparison with the seismic data to validate the hybrid deterministic-geostatistical earth model.

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